Republicans Don’t like Property Tax Relief Plan

The Republican-controlled Kansas House has rejected a Democratic member’s proposal to provide $45 million in state aid to local governments to hold down property taxes.

GOP legislators argued Wednesday that the plan from Rep. Jim Ward of Wichita would redistribute taxpayer dollars from the state to local governments, not reduce taxes. The money would have been provided over two years.

The vote was 73-48 against an amendment offered by Ward to a bill requiring local government commissions to take a public vote if they intend to spend an increase in property tax revenues that is above the rate of inflation. Local governments can gain extra revenues without raising levies if property values rise.

The House voted 63-58 to give the bill first-round approval, with final action expected Thursday.